FEL3380 Social network dynamics: analysis, control, games, and learning 7.5 credits

Introduction to the course (abstract): This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the modeling, analysis, and control of social networks. It covers foundational concepts in graph theory and matrix analysis, key measures from social network analysis, and the dynamics of networked systems. Students will explore applications to social dynamics and models of opinion dynamics, as well as strategies for influencing and controlling social networks. Finally, the course concludes by introducing game-theoretic perspectives and exploring learning over networks.

Course contents:

• Introduction, motivation, applications, and preliminaries (graph theory, signed graphs theory, and matrix analysis);
• Social network analysis: Measures of centrality, connectivity, and structural properties of networks;
• Network dynamics and stability;
• Applications to social dynamics and models of opinion dynamics: analysis and simulation
• Control and interventions in social networks;
• Games and Learning over social networks.

After the course, the student should be able to:

• Understand the essential theoretical tools for analyzing networked systems and their applications in social networks;
• Demonstrate knowledge of the key problems and established results in the field;
• Apply theoretical tools to solve problems in the area;
• Contribute to advancing the research frontier in the area.

Doctoral students at the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. External participation by admission of the examiner.

Recommended prerequisites: Basic courses on Automatic Control, Linear Algebra, Matrix Analysis. At least one advance course in automatic control will be of help, but not compulsory.

• INL1 - Homework 1, 2.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
• PRO1 - Project, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
• INL2 - Homework 2, 2.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
• INL3 - Homework 3, 2.0 credits, grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability. The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students. If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability. The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

A passing grade is based on three homework projects and a final presentation. Students will work individually or in groups (depending on the total number of participants) on independent projects. Each homework assignment will be corrected and discussed by peers and teachers. The final project presentation may consist of either a presentation of some uncovered materials during the course or a presentation of a research article relevant to both the student’s research interests and the course content.

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.